Return To Cortes Bank

Frank Quirarte

1 of 13

Greg Long

After nearly drowning at Cortes Bank last year, big-wave surfer Greg Long returned to the infamous break to reckon with his fears. The mission was successful and will air in the second installment of "Big Wave Hellman." The show airs on ESPN2 on Monday, Sept. 29 at 8:00pm.

After nearly drowning at Cortes Bank last year, big-wave surfer Greg Long returned to the infamous break to reckon with his fears. The mission was successful and will air in the second installment of "Big Wave Hellman." The show airs on ESPN2 on Monday, Sept. 29 at 8:00pm.

Frank Quirarte

2 of 13

Greg Long

Facing the wave that almost took his life, Long had to contend with a lot of nerves when paddling out. The fact that he chose to surf alone spoke to his state of mind. He faced his fears head-on and came away a better man because of it.

Facing the wave that almost took his life, Long had to contend with a lot of nerves when paddling out. The fact that he chose to surf alone spoke to his state of mind. He faced his fears head-on and came away a better man because of it.

Frank Quirarte

3 of 13

Greg Long

Greg Long's return to Cortes Bank was filled with mixed emotions. "Since nearly drowning at Cortes Bank a little over a year ago, I have since wondered if I could go back out and surf there again. Yesterday I answered my question," Long wrote on Facebook.

Greg Long's return to Cortes Bank was filled with mixed emotions. "Since nearly drowning at Cortes Bank a little over a year ago, I have since wondered if I could go back out and surf there again. Yesterday I answered my question," Long wrote on Facebook.

Frank Quirarte

4 of 13

Greg Long

In the past 10-plus years, Long has experienced Cortes Bank in a variety of conditions, from giant and stormy to fun and glassy. With sets pushing 15 to 18 feet on this trip, it was both challenging and therapeutic.

In the past 10-plus years, Long has experienced Cortes Bank in a variety of conditions, from giant and stormy to fun and glassy. With sets pushing 15 to 18 feet on this trip, it was both challenging and therapeutic.

Frank Quirarte

5 of 13

Cortes Bank

Long brought out a range of different sized boards so he would have the right sled for the conditions. Interestingly, he spent the session riding without a leash. Suffering only one wipeout, he was separated from his board once, but it was quickly recovered by a heroic Sam George.

Long brought out a range of different sized boards so he would have the right sled for the conditions. Interestingly, he spent the session riding without a leash. Suffering only one wipeout, he was separated from his board once, but it was quickly recovered by a heroic Sam George.

Frank Quirarte

6 of 13

Cortes Bank

The one that got away ... actually, with Long being the only surfer in the water, there were a lot that got away.

The one that got away ... actually, with Long being the only surfer in the water, there were a lot that got away.

Frank Quirarte

7 of 13

Cortes Bank

Greg Long's expedition out to Cortes included two boats and six Jet Skis. One boat carried Long, the other boat carried the support crew, including the creative film team behind the ESPN 30 for 30 film "Hawaiian: the Legend of Eddie Aikau."

Greg Long's expedition out to Cortes included two boats and six Jet Skis. One boat carried Long, the other boat carried the support crew, including the creative film team behind the ESPN 30 for 30 film "Hawaiian: the Legend of Eddie Aikau."

Frank Quirarte

8 of 13

Greg Long

A hundred miles west of Southern California lies the undersea mount of Cortes Bank. At its shallowest, the water is only several feet deep, which creates the boils in the face of the wave. Long knows the bathymetry better than anyone.

A hundred miles west of Southern California lies the undersea mount of Cortes Bank. At its shallowest, the water is only several feet deep, which creates the boils in the face of the wave. Long knows the bathymetry better than anyone.

Frank Quirarte

9 of 13

Greg Long

Sometimes pulling back is the better part of valor. Long's wave knowledge and calculating ability to pick the right waves has him at the front of the big-wave class.

Sometimes pulling back is the better part of valor. Long's wave knowledge and calculating ability to pick the right waves has him at the front of the big-wave class.

Frank Quirarte

10 of 13

Greg Long

Using a waterproof VHF radio, Long was able to thank the pilots of the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter that buzzed the lineup. After his near drowning a year prior, Long has maintained a close relationship with his rescuers.

Using a waterproof VHF radio, Long was able to thank the pilots of the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter that buzzed the lineup. After his near drowning a year prior, Long has maintained a close relationship with his rescuers.

Frank Quirarte

11 of 13

Greg Long

From Jaws at the start of the week, to Maverick's midweek, to Cortes on a sunny Saturday, it was one heck of a run for Long.

From Jaws at the start of the week, to Maverick's midweek, to Cortes on a sunny Saturday, it was one heck of a run for Long.

Frank Quirarte

12 of 13

Greg Long

While it takes a huge amount of physical skill and strength to ride the world's biggest waves, there's also a huge psychological component that the surfers have to contend with.

While it takes a huge amount of physical skill and strength to ride the world's biggest waves, there's also a huge psychological component that the surfers have to contend with.

Frank Quirarte

13 of 13

Greg Long

"It wasn't the biggest ever but eight hours in oil glass perfection surfing alone, it was still the most mentally challenging and memorable session of my life," Long said on Facebook.

"It wasn't the biggest ever but eight hours in oil glass perfection surfing alone, it was still the most mentally challenging and memorable session of my life," Long said on Facebook.